HAL Dhruv

एचएएल ध्रुव

Role Multirole helicopter
National origin India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
First flight 20 August 1992
Introduction March 2002
Status In service
Primary users Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Indian Navy
Ecuadorian Air Force
Produced 1992-present
Number built 150+ through October 2013
Unit cost
approx. INR400 million (US$6.6 million)
Developed into HAL Light Combat Helicopter
HAL Rudra

ABOUT
The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter developed and manufactured by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Dhruv was first announced in November 1984. The ALH was designed with assistance from MBB in Germany. The Dhruv first flew in 1992; but development was prolonged due to multiple factors: the Indian Army's requirement alterations, budget restrictions, and sanctions placed on India following the 1998 Pokhran-II Indian nuclear testing.
The Dhruv entered into service in 2002. Dhruv is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators. It is being supplied to the Indian Armed Forces along with a variant for civilian/commercial use. The helicopter was first exported to Nepal and Israel. It is on order by several other countries for both military and commercial uses.
Military versions in production are for transport, utility, reconnaissance and medical evacuation roles. Based on the Dhruv platform, the HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) attack helicopter, and HAL Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) a utility and observation helicopter are being developed. As of August 2013, more than 140 HAL Dhruv have been produced for different customers.